C.—6

2

A Proclamation was issued reserving Hen (or Taranga) Island, situated to the north, of Hauraki Gulf. This particular island has had a somewhat chequered career in regard to the matter of reservation. It was originally set apart in 1883 as a reserve for lighthouse purposes, while by section 4of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1920, it was declared, together with the adjacent Chicken Islands, to be reserved for scenic purposes. In 1927 it was discovered that Hen Island was freehold land vested in the late Thomas Outhwaite, whose daughter devised the island to the Government absolutely in the hope that it would be used as a bird-sanctuary. The previous dealings with the island by the Crown were ultra vires, and upon receipt of the Crown's title in terms of the will of the late Miss Outhwaite the opportunity was taken to place matters on a proper footing by the issue of a Proclamation setting the island apart under the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act. The island thereupon automatically became a bird-sanctuary. The fourth reservation in North Auckland during the year concerned two areas, of 100 acres and 20 acres 3 roods respectively, adjoining the Kai Iwi Lakes. It is proposed later on to reserve a fairly large area of Crown land in the vicinity. These areas are situated near the sea-beach north-west from Dargaville, and about nine miles from Kauri Park. The lakes themselves are very beautiful, possessing magnificent foreshores of white sand, and it is anticipated that the locality will become a popular resort in the future. Reservations in the Wellington District included the acquisition of a small area for the purpose of improving the access to the Silverstream Reserve in the Hutt Valley, and the setting-aside of four bush areas in the Ilautapu Survey District, in the vicinity of Omatane and Ruahine. In the Nelson Land District, Lake Rotoroa, together with a large area of the surrounding country, was set aside for scenic purposes. Some of the land surrounding the lake had previously been set apart ; but the lake itself had not been dealt with, and its reservation, together with that of additional surrounding areas, should meet with general approval. The lake is a noted beauty-spot, and bird-life is abundant both on the lake itself and in the adjacent forests. Other reservations were those of some 178 acres of bush-clad slopes at the junction of the Owen and Buller Rivers, and 261 acres of bush in the Buller Gorge on the opposite side of the river from the main coach-road. An area of 870 acres at Penguin Bay, Pelorus Sound, was acquired and set apart during the year. This area, which was formerly held on small-grazing-run lease, is mostly in bush, and adjoins other areas already reserved for scenic purposes in the locality. In the Westland District areas totalling 14,502 acres situated along the Main South Road from Waiho to Weheka, and in the neighbourhood of the Fox Glacier, were set apart as scenic reserves under the provisions of section 14 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1928. These areas were portions of provisional State forests ; but the bush contains timber of little commercial value, and the State Forest Service agreed to the change of purpose of the reservation. The forest on the land is of considerable interest from a scenic point of view. An area of 198 acres near Lake lanthe was also set apart during the year. This particular "area was formerly reserved for the accommodation of travelling stock, but was no longer required for that purpose on account of a more suitable stockpaddock having been provided in the locality. Lakes Tennyson and Guyon, in the Amuri County, North Canterbury, were proclaimed under the Scenery Preservation Act. These lakes are situated in very rough and inaccessible country, but will no doubt be appreciated at their true worth in future years. An area of 51 acres adjoining the Samson Hill Scenic Reserve, South Otago, was acquired during the year as an addition to the reserve. This particular area formed portion of three sections held under occupation-with-right-of-purchase licenses from the Crown, and no compensation was asked for by the licensees other than to have a fro rata reduction made in their rentals. The Samson Hill forms an exceptionally beautiful piece of scenery, and the additional area now reserved will add considerably to its value. In the Southland District a small piece of closed road was reserved and placed under the control of the Tuatapere Scenic Board, while 12 acres at Curio Bay, situated between high- and low-water marks, was declared a reserve under the Act. This latter area embraces a submerged forest, and contains some very fine specimens of petrified trees. An adjoining area of 13 acres on the mainland was reserved some years ago. The revocation of the scenic reservation over areas totalling some 588 acres was arranged during the year. The cases dealt with were those of the small portion of the Okuratope Pa, referred to in an earlier paragraph ; portion of the Waihi Falls Reserve, in the Weber District; an area of 16 acres on the Ohura Road, near Whangamomona ; and part of the Blackcleugh Reserve, on the Clutha River. In the case of the Ohura Road reserve, the land dealt with carried poor bush of little scenic value, and arrangements have been made to allot the area to the adjoining holder in order to provide a practicable fencing-line. In the Blackcleugh case, an area of 504 acres has been handed over to the State Forest Service, which is planting on the adjoining land. The total number of scenic reservations in the Dominion is now 827, covering a total area of over 505,000 acres. Supervision of Reserves. During the year special Scenic Boards were appointed or reappointed as follows : The Matamata County Council to control the Maungatautari Mountain Reserve ; Te Kuiti Borough Council to control the Mangaokewa Gorge Reserve ; Ohakune Borough Council to control the Ohakune Reserve ; Taumarunui Borough Council to control Lot A, Block I, Hunua Survey District; and the Parr's Park, Waima, Lake Rotoiti, Motu, Taihape, and Pongaroa Scenic Boards to control their respective reserves. Two warrants were issued placing additional areas under the control of the Lake Rotoiti and Tuatapere Scenic Reserves Boards respectively.